I do it for her—suffer in silence—because it’s what is best for the woman I love.
And she has no idea.

She’ll be initiated as a Fellowship member soon. One of my mafia brothers will go through endurance so he’ll earn the right to claim her.
Make her his wife.
Kill. Me. Slowly.

I’m running out of time. Only a month remains before she’s beyond my reach forever.
I want to taste her. Share sleepless nights. Ride out her storm.
I want to give her the kind of nights she will still feel between her legs the next morning.
I want us to share the kind of passion that forms on our skin and drips down to saturate the sheets.
Between the sweat and the moans and the messy hair, I want her to know how hard she’s been loved.

To have her is to taint her.
I should stay away. But I won’t. I can’t.
I’m a selfish bastard.
A selfish bastard in love.

My Review:
This is my first book by Georgia Cates but, by golly, it won’t be the last.

I adored this book from the first deliciously-crafted word to the last. Although I haven’t read the Sin Trilogy, I had no issue in picking up and understanding the plot, the world, or the characters and damn was that refreshing. A lot of times authors cite books as standalone that are building on characters introduced in other books or series and they turn out to be anything but standalone. I cite Endurance as a perfect example of how to write a spin-off book/series and not skimp on the character development. I didn’t feel like I missed out on a thing by not having read the other series first and I applaud the author for the perfect execution of this story.

Jamie is the Fellowship’s doctor so he largely avoids any front line action. It’s an honorable role to everyone but his despicable mother and I understand his deceased father was unhappy with his life choice, too, having favored him for a leadership role. Jamie suffers under the weight of their disappointment/disapproval and subsequently doesn’t feel like he is worthy of Ellison.

Ellison is crushing on Jamie big style but growing increasingly frustrated with his apparent lack of interest. When it becomes obvious that he’s as into her as she is into him, she is exasperated at his unwillingness to step up and claim her. Jamie thinks he’s doing the right thing because he believes one of his brothers can protect her better, even though the thought of anyone else claiming her is killing him. Ellison thinks he’s being downright pig-headed and sets out to change his mind.

I loved both main characters and could relate to their perspectives. They were perfect together! A fantastic team – both personally and professionally. I really wanted to knock some sense into Jamie but I had faith that Ellison could pull it off successfully. Their chemistry was scorching hot and I was so rooting for this couple.

I loved Georgia’s writing style and the pace was perfect – it was never overly described and there was no filler and no tendency to skim. It clipped along at a nice steady pace.

The plot was a little on the flimsy side at times but that didn’t matter as the relationship was the main focus point and that was pure perfection on a page.

I enjoyed the world building and I’m definitely intrigued to know more. I also enjoyed the secondary characters.

All in all, this was a really great read and I look forward to reading more in this world in the future.

Thanks to Inkslinger PR for providing a free, advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

EXCERPT 2
Chapter 2: Ellison’s POV

“I’m not as strong as you.” I don’t have an ounce of willpower when it comes to this beautiful man. Even now, I want to plead with him to have me. To claim me. To take me into the bedroom and make me scream his name over and over.
“I’m not as strong as you think.”
“You were strong enough to tell me no.” I ache in my chest as I recall him pushing me away. No man has ever hurt my heart the way Jamie did that day.
“You’re wrong. I’m so damn weak when it comes to you, Ellison.”
We’d be together if that were so. “We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one.”
“The Order takeover is scheduled to happen in three weeks. You’re going to belong to another soon after. And it’s making me lose my fucking mind.”
Is it wrong to be happy to hear him admit he’s going crazy? “You made your decision.”
“What if I don’t want to live the rest of my life not knowing how you look when you wake next to me in the mornings, or how you feel in my arms at night when we fall asleep, or how you smile in your sleep when you’re dreaming of happy things?”
He didn’t mention a word about claiming or marrying me. That means I fall into the third category of females in his precious Fellowship. Fuck-worthy. “You said you wouldn’t taint me.”
“You won’t be considered tainted in the eyes of the brothers if they don’t know we’ve been together. It would have to be our secret.”
We’d be hush-hush, keeping everything we share in the dark . . . like it’s dirty. Like it’s wrong. Like it’s depraved.
So, what? When we’re over, I have to watch him hop from one Fellowship whore to the next because he can never have a wife? I have to pick up my broken heart and simply move on with my husband? I don’t work like that. It’s not in my makeup.
“I deserve better.”
“You deserve the best.” My chest tightens when Jamie repeats the words my father spent years instilling in me.
“You think sneaking around with you behind the backs of the brothers is what I deserve?” I want Jamie but not that way.
“It’s all I’m able to give you right now.”
“But I want more.”
I want his body, but more than that I want his love. I want his forever. My feelings are stronger than ever so what happens when our time together ends and I can’t give him up?
A month with the man I love versus never knowing what it feels like to have him inside me. Never knowing what it feels like to wake with him beside me. Never knowing what it feels like to have him hold me while I fall asleep. It should be a no-brainer . . . except I know me. I’ll fall so deeply in love with him that letting go will wreck me.

About the Author:
Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

Representation: All questions regarding subsidiary rights for any of my books, inquiries regarding foreign translation and film rights should be directed to Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich.